'Parents responsible for underage drinking'

 

Almost half of underage drinkers get their alcohol from their parents, Home Office figures have revealed.

The survey asked children who had drunk in the previous year where they obtained their alcohol, and 48 per cent said from parents, 29 per cent from friends and 22 per cent from pubs or bars.

In all, 62 per cent of underage drinkers said their parents knew they drank alcohol regularly.

A third of 10 to 17s had been to a pub or bar without their parents and a quarter had been to a nightclub.

It suggested: "Parents may need to take responsibility for addressing their children's drinking behaviour."

The vast majority of children - including some as young as 10 - who try to buy booze in pubs, nightclubs and shops are served by staff, the figures suggested.

The survey also showed that 93 per cent of 10- to 15-year-olds had successfully bought alcohol in pubs and clubs, and 84% had made a purchase in shops.

Among 16 and 17-year-olds the figures were even higher, with only 2 per cent saying they had been refused in pubs and clubs and 4 per cent in shops.

About half had attempted such purchases in the older group, and about one in 10 among those aged 10 to 13.

The poll highlighted the ease with which children can get hold of alcohol, and linked underage drinking with crime including violent offences.

In all, 56 per cent of 10 to 17-year-olds said they had had an alcoholic drink in the previous 12 months - about six out of 10 opting for alcopops and just under half for beer.

Three out of 10 children in the 10 to 13 age group had drunk in the previous year.

Results of the Offending, Crime and Justice Survey showed that frequency of children's drinking was "strongly associated" with crime.

It found:

• 26 per cent of those who drank one to three times a month had committed a violent offence;
  
• Regular underage drinkers were also more likely to take drugs - 28 per cent of those who drank at least once a week compared with 1 per cent of those who had not drunk in the previous year;
  
• Reports of criminal damage (17 per cent) and theft (34 per cent) were also higher among drinkers.

The figures were published as the Home Office said 5,000 "test purchase" operations will have been carried out in a month by next Thursday to stop the sale of alcohol to under 18s.

Penalties for selling to minors include fines of up to £5,000, a review or loss of licence and up to six months' imprisonment.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said: "Home Office statistics published today continue to concern me and show that we need to maintain the good work being done.

"I am determined to see an end to a situation where young people are able to buy alcohol so easily."

He added: "Selling alcohol to a minor is unacceptable, illegal and should not be tolerated.

"Through everyday police activity and focused campaigns, those who continue to do so will be weeded out and punished.

"We are working closely with the alcohol industry which agrees with our stance on underage sales and has made a commitment to help eliminate it."

Chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, Rob Haywood, said: "We fully support tough action against the minority of licensees who give the pub trade a bad name.

"We have recognised the problem, and have made considerable progress since these figures were compiled." The fourth Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign involving all 43 forces in England and Wales began on May 8 and ends next Thursday.

alcohol is so easy to get...

It always weirds me out when I go to the states that they sell it in grocery stores... :thinking:

It always weirds me out when I go to the states that they sell it in grocery stores... :thinking:

 

Although on the other hand you can't legally drink there until you're 21..................... ;)